By Erika Kengni
Following the arrest of a Lexington man on human trafficking and prostitution charges, advocates are reminding the public that these types of crimes often go unnoticed and unreported – and that resources are available for victims.
Virginia State Police arrested Earl Wayne Smith on Feb. 10 after an investigation uncovered potential prostitution at his home in Lexington, according to a police press release. Smith, whose attorney did not respond to requests for comment, has a court hearing Friday.
Local organizations provide support for victims in human trafficking and domestic violence situations.
Bethny Barrett, the director of education and outreach for SARA, an organization that helps victims of domestic violence, said people are often hesitant to report human trafficking, which the Department of Homeland Security defines as the use of fraud, coercion or force to pressure victims into labor or sex.
“A lot of the forms of control and trafficking situation aren’t visible to the public, and it may look like consensual sex work, and very rarely are people calling the police on that,” said Barrett.
In Virginia, human trafficking can involve someone simply inviting another person to engage in prostitution in exchange for money, said Sarah Gottlieb, a professor at the Washington and Lee University School of Law.
In the Rockbridge Area, there are resources to help victims navigate the legal system.
Kristy Zirkle, the director of the victim/witness assistance program for Lexington and Rockbridge County, said many people do not know about her office until they become the victims of a crime.
The Victim/Witness Advocacy Program provides supports to victims and witnesses of crimes. The program walks victims and witnesses through the criminal justice process and acts as their liaison with prosecutors.
“We talk to them primarily about their input about the case, so they have a voice in the case to say what they would like to see happen,” Zirkle said.
Victims of human trafficking who are forced into sex work are often hesitant to come forward because they fear being prosecuted themselves, Barrett said. Police investigations into human trafficking often take considerable time because of the lack of witnesses.
The court can give witness and victims support and resources, Zirkle said. She helps people apply for the Virginia Victims Fund, which can provide financial reimbursement for funeral bills, physical injuries and emotional injuries to victims.
“Sometimes it’s something as simple as somebody indicating ‘Yeah, of course, my boyfriend passes me around’, or ‘Oh, we needed rent this month.’”
Trafficking victims often do not realize that they are being trafficked, Barrett said. They may be coerced by romantic partners or family members.
“So even if somebody hears something, it may not sound like what they’ve been taught trafficking means,” Barrett said. “It’s unfortunately something that’s commonly overlooked.”
People in marginalized communities are more at risk of being trafficked, according to Barrett. LBGTQ+ people, people of color and undocumented people are more vulnerable. Queer youth can end up becoming the victims of trafficking after being kicked out by their families, she added.
Zirkle encourages victims and witnesses to call her office if they have questions or they just want to talk. While her office is not confidential, she helps connect those who need help to community resources such as Project Horizon, a local nonprofit domestic and sexual violence support organization.
There are signs that people can look for that point to trafficking, such as a person having no support outside of a romantic partner, according to Barrett. Additionally, some victims may reference the situation themselves.
“Sometimes it’s something as simple as somebody indicating ‘Yeah, of course, my boyfriend passes me around’, or ‘Oh, we needed rent this month,’” Barrett said. “Sometimes people do just say it, but they don’t say it in a way that they’re alarmed about it.”
For the victims in these cases, such relationships become normalized, Barrett said.
Next Steps in the Smith Case
Smith was arrested last month by Virginia State Police after an investigation into human trafficking in the area. He is currently being held without bond.
Investigators seized drugs and guns from Smith’s residence after a lengthy investigation into human trafficking in the area, according to a press release. At the time of his arrest, Smith was on probation for drug-related charges in Roanoke, according to court documents.
Jared Moon, the commonwealth’s attorney for Lexington and Rockbridge County, declined to comment on any facts that have not been stated in open court. Smith’s last hearing involved the appointment of an attorney in his case.
Smith is being represented by Anthony Anderson, an attorney based in Roanoke, according to court documents. Anderson has not responded to numerous requests for comment from the Rockbridge Report.